Livid Liam causes ?20k of damage to ex-boyfriend’s Mercedes in …
Jealous Liam Ball caused more than £20,000 worth of damage to his ex partner's car. The 22-year-old paint sprayer also visited an address in Stone[1] and looked inside at his ex with his new partner.
The harassment has left both men feeling anxious and scared. Now Ball, of Fraser Street, Burslem[2], has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, at North Staffordshire Justice Centre[3].
Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley said Ball's ex partner received a Snapchat message from him at 1am on November 21 last year. Miss Baddeley said: "The picture showed the defendant standing on the bonnet of the man's car. A short time later there was extensive damage to the car with smashed tyres and windows.
READ:Bully boyfriend, 32, controlled the life of woman he was supposed to love Andy Viljoen, 32, showed contempt for his partner as he limited contacted with family and friends[4]
READ: Members of the public find 'out of it' drink-driver behind the wheel - and he drove off Benn Hughes, 41, who was four times the legal limit, was spared jail at North Staffordshire Justice Centre[5]
"The injured party called his current partner saying the defendant was causing damage to his car. The new partner saw the defendant on the Mercedes and throwing a brick at the windscreen. He called the police."
Between January 4 and 7 Ball went to an address in Stone and the victims witnessed him turning in the road. Ball was arrested. He said his relationship ended acrimoniously. The damage to the car was put at £20,170 and the vehicle was written-off.
In a victim statement Ball's ex said he suffers with anxiety and depression. The loss of the car prevented him accessing his support network. He is paranoid, feels scared to be alone and is always looking over his shoulder.
The victim's new boyfriend said he has been left feeling anxious and is scared to leave his home. He feels isolated and lonely.
Ball pleaded guilty to criminal damage and two charges of harassment without violence.
Paige Morgan, mitigating, said Ball and his victim were in a relationship for three years. She said no threats were made and Ball saw the men through a window when he was in his car.
She said the criminal damage related to Ball's ex partner only. She said the damage was settled by the insurance company. Miss Morgan added: "He accepts he acted immaturely. He went to the home of his ex to try and salvage the relationship. He accepts he did go and look in the window. It was from his car. He did not deliberately cause them harm and distress."
District Judge Ian Barnes said: "You caused significant damage to a vehicle. It was a sustained attack to cause the maximum damage possible. In excess of £20,000 worth of damage was caused. The vehicle was written-off by the insurance company."
As part of the sentence Ball must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days and 100 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £950 compensation to his ex as well as £775 costs. And he was made the subject of a restraining order which prohibits him from contacting his two victims for three years.
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References
- ^ Stone (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Burslem (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ North Staffordshire Justice Centre (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Bully boyfriend, 32, controlled the life of woman he was supposed to love (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Members of the public find 'out of it' drink-driver behind the wheel - and he drove off (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER: Sign up for email (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ alerts direct to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)